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Kids' violent video game play linked to increased aggression

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A meta-analysis of 24 studies found adolescents who play violent video games were associated with increased physical aggression

By Allen Cone
In a meta-analysis of studies, researchers found violent video games are associated with small increases of physical aggression despite dueling research and theories.

Dartmouth researchers analyzed 24 studies from around the world conducted between 2010 and 2017 with more than 17,000 participants 9 to 19 years old, finding that young video game players are affected by violence on screen. The findings were published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The researchers suggest that flaws in previous studies -- either because of demographics, time frame of effects or other causes -- may be the reason theories about the effects of video games persist while research largely has not backed them up.

"Although no single research project is definitive, our research aims to provide the most current and compelling responses to key criticisms on this topic," lead author Dr. Jay G. Hull, associate dean of faculty for the social sciences at Dartmouth, said in a press release. "Based on our findings, we feel it is clear that violent video game play is associated with subsequent increases in physical aggression."